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Description
This is a view of the USS Iowa's aft 16in gun turret, taken on the fantail. The fantail isn't as long at the forecastle, but at the time of my arrival, visitors could walk further out onto the latter than the former --- hence, my photo gives you a muzzle-on view of the aft turret, from very far away.

As part of their 1984 refit, the Iowa class Battleships had their fantails cleared of as much equipment as possible, and clad with an extra layer of Steel plating. This was done because the new 20mm Phalanx guns made the old 20mm and 40mm guns from this area obsolete, a new UAV system eliminated the scout plane that was needed before, and so that helicopters could operate from the stern as though it were a helipad.

Up to 4 SH-3 Sea King helicopters could be based on a modernized Iowa class Battleship at any one time, though there were no hangar facilities for them. The Iowas needed those choppers as well, because they were expected to not only use shells and 20mm rounds very often in battle, but also missiles as well; and those 4 choppers would end up replenishing the Battleships a lot.

Description
This is a view of the USS Iowa's aft 16in gun turret, taken on the fantail. The fantail isn't as long at the forecastle, but at the time of my arrival, visitors could walk further out onto the latter than the former --- hence, my photo gives you a muzzle-on view of the aft turret, from very far away.

As part of their 1984 refit, the Iowa class Battleships had their fantails cleared of as much equipment as possible, and clad with an extra layer of Steel plating. This was done because the new 20mm Phalanx guns made the old 20mm and 40mm guns from this area obsolete, a new UAV system eliminated the scout plane that was needed before, and so that helicopters could operate from the stern as though it were a helipad.

Up to 4 SH-3 Sea King helicopters could be based on a modernized Iowa class Battleship at any one time, though there were no hangar facilities for them. The Iowas needed those choppers as well, because they were expected to not only use shells and 20mm rounds very often in battle, but also missiles as well; and those 4 choppers would end up replenishing the Battleships a lot.